In 1865, with $100,
John B. Stetson rented a small room, bought the tools
he needed, bought $10 worth of fur and the John B. Stetson
Hat Company was born. A year later the "Hat of
the West" or the now famous "Boss of the Plains"
hat was born and the name Stetson was on its way to
becoming the mark of quality, durability, innovation
and beauty.

John
B. Stetson experienced trying times in his life but
after it all he relied on the one thing he did exceptionally
well, making hats. He was trained by his father, a master
hatter, and applied his skills and knowledge to a trade
that, at the time was not held in high regard.

A hatter
was seen as unreliable, lazy, or aloof, only looking
to make his money and go have fun. John B. Stetson changed
all that and built one of America's most well-known
and successful businesses. The longevity and history
of the John B. Stetson Company is based on innovation
and quality! John B. Stetson led the hat industry his
entire career by designing new hat styles for fashion
and function. When it came to quality it was his creed
and for the past 130 years it has so stamped the product
that the name and the word are synonymous.

Today
the Stetson hat factory in Garland, Texas is one of
the largest in the country and produces a line of hats
in hundreds of different styles and colors. In spite
of this size, however, classic styling and premium quality
remain as the driving forces behind each and every hat.
As a result, Stetson hats are the most well known hats
in the world. Wherever and whenever hats are discussed
Stetson will be mentioned.

Stetson
is the standard in hats, the essence of the spirit of
the West and an icon of everyday American lifestyle.
Because of its authentic American heritage, Stetson
remains as a part of history and, for the same reason
will continue into the future.